Storyline

The gang is en route to visit Shaggy's uncle Nat, who lives in a colonial mansion in Boston. They meet up with the vacationing Harlem Globetrotters and decide to all visit Uncle Nat together, but encounter ghosts from the revolutionary war on the journey there, who continue to "haunt" them all through the night at Uncle Nat's house. In the morning, they go out water skiing and scuba diving in the cove, but the relaxation is short-lived; a fire-breathing Nessie lookalike chases them away. Now the gang has two mysteries on their hands, which may be tied together. Written by
E. E. Buchanan

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User Reviews

'The New Scooby Doo Movies', seeing it through young adult eyes (if somewhat of a child at heart), is somewhat patchy and inconsistent but often entertaining.

Some of the episodes (such as "The Dynamic Scooby Doo Affair", "The Caped Crusader Caper", "Wednesday is Missing" and "Scooby Doo Meets Laurel and Hardy") are still my favourites of the show, some have fared better on re-watch ("The Spooky Fog of Juneberry"), some personally still like but less ("The Secret of Shark Island", "The Haunted Horseman in Hagglethorn Hall", also like "Sandy Duncan's Jekyll and Hyde much less too) and there are some that have never done much for me (The Phantom of the Country Music Hall and from memory the Josie and the Pussycats and Jeannie episodes).

As for where "The Loch Ness Mess" fits in, my answer would be neither but it has always stood as a solid and fun episode and of the three Harlem Globetrotters episodes it's always been the best one. It's not perfect, none of the episodes of this show are. The animation has always been a debit in 'The New Scooby Doo Movies' and it's true for "The Loch Ness Mess" too. Some nice atmosphere and colours, but again the drawing is crude and sloppy, especially on the Harlem Globetrotters. There are times also where the pacing does lack energy and in need of a tightening up, though it is nowhere near as draggy, thin and over-stretched as some other episodes in the show.

Regarding the Harlem Globetrotters, they fare much better here than in their first guest appearance, both in how they're used and in personality. They are not used too much that the mystery plays second fiddle (Sandy Duncan) and they don't feel lost or swamped (Jerry Reed and to a lesser extent Davy Jones). They are more likable here, less bland and far less annoying, didn't have a problem with Curly this time round. Batman and Robin, The Addams Family, Laurel and Hardy and Sonny and Cher are the best and best used guest appearances of the first season though.

Here also the mystery is a very nice one, with the right amount of humour (focusing mostly on Shaggy and his relatives, and that was a wise decision but they're the characters actually that shine the most here) and atmosphere, which is effectively spooky with the villains being among the show's strongest. The Loch Ness Monster was scary through kid's eyes and still is creepy. The story also never feels obvious and is always easy to follow without being simplistic. Scooby is also never less than lovable, and the rest of the gang are enjoyable and don't feel incidental to everything else.

Music is haunting and energetic, with the theme tune being catchy and infectious, and who can't help loving the endearingly goofy and always amusing and more writing. The voice acting is very strong as always, especially from Don Messick and Casey Kasem.

All in all, very good final episode to the first season. 8/10 Bethany Cox

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